Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

This class is free thanks to the generosity of the Community Memorial Foundation and its partners, the Rotary Club of La Grange, Mental Health Association of DuPage County Fund of The DuPage Community Foundation, Illinois Children’s Health Foundation and the Lyons and Proviso Township Mental Health Commissions.